Rafa Nadal, the celebrated tennis pro, was forced to pull out of the Olympics due to a knee injury, and Pau Gasol has been named as his replacement to bear Spain’s flag at the Games’ opening ceremony. Per Reuters: “Los Angeles Lakers center Gasol is one of the country’s most recognized sportsmen and helped Spain win silver in Beijing four years ago, when they lost in the final to the United States. Sailing duo Iker Martinez and Xabi Fernandez had been in the running as well but they ruled themselves out so not to upset preparations for the July 27-August 12 Games.”